Album of the Week - Land of Talk

Posted Sunday, March 04, 2007 @ 12:06 in Music by Jason Newman

Every week, we highlight an album that slipped through the cracks that we think deserves some shine. This week, check out Land of Talk's Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, the debut album from the Montreal trio that'll please all you Metric fans.

 

Land of Talk

Applause Cheer Boo Hiss (Rebel Group)

 

A funny thing happened to Montreal trio Land of Talk over the past 12 months. Like many indie bands, the group self-released their debut album and got the requisite blog love from the usual suspects (Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan etc.). Months later, though, when many of the same bands were getting the typical backlash brought on by overexposure and overinflated expectations, Land of Talk only seem to be gaining accolades.

With the stateside re-release of Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, the group looks poised to be the more energetic, younger sibling to Arts and Crafts' moodier, introspective brother. At the forefront, vocalist/guitarist Elizabeth Powell combines the fuck-it-all coolness of a jaded adult with the unrestrained energy of your average teenager. To be honest, I can't tell whether she's 17 or 30 but, given her melodic range that sucks you into each of the seven songs, I don't really care.

Late last year, the trio wrapped up a string of dates with The Dears. Not a bad way to get new fans but sonically, Metric's the better choice. Powell's girlish growl and the group's blend of Sonic Youth-esque riffs with more straightforward pop (No, I will not call them "punk-pop" and falsely conjure up images of 17-year olds in tight jeans ripping off Green Day) make them a perfect opener and mix CD brethren.

The name may sound like a bad 80's public access show and will most likely spur 1,000 not-so-clever headlines, but you only care about the music, right? So go ahead, buy the other blog bands a drink, have your fun, and never call them again. Land of Talk, though, gets the candles-and-fine-wine treatment and should be treated as "relationship material." Check it.

Check out the mice pace page HERE

And the official website HERE

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